Improvement in holding devices for boots and shoes



W. B. MURPHY. HOLDING DEVICES FOR BOOTS AND SHOES.

No. 195,836. Patented ot.z,1e77.

N. PETERS, PHDTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D c

T BEIGE.

WILLIAM B. MURPHY, OF NEW BEDFOBD, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN HOLDING DEVICES FOR BOOTS AND SHOES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 195,836, 'dated October 2, 1877; application filed September 1, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM B. MURPHY, of New Bedford, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improved Holdfast to hold Boots and Shoes, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to an improved device to hold boots and shoes firmly in position while the heels are being attached, or nails are driven therein, or the sole is being nailed or otherwise treated.

In practice, the boot or shoe is commonly held at such time on an iron last by means of an endless strap passed across the bottom of the shank and held down by the foot of the operator. Such a strap does not hold the shoe firmly, but permits it to tip to one side, so that the surface to be nailed is not in proper horizolllltal position for the correct driving of the na s.

My invention consists in providing this usual holding strap or band, commonly called a stirrup, with aheel-brace adapted to extend from the strap at each side the boot or shoe about the counter next the heel. This heelbrace is of such length, and so located with reference to'theusual strap,that the latter acts to draw the brace downward and forward, thereby crowding the shoe forward on, and and holding it down upon, the usual iron last or shoe-support, so that it cannot tip or slip.

Figure 1 represents an improved holdfast applied to aboot; and Fig. 2 shows it detached, the foot-belt or strap being broken out.

A represents the boot, or it might be a shoe, to which the heel b is to be attached, or which is to be otherwise treated while being held on the last.

B represents the usual band or strap commonly employed to hold the boot or shoe, such band or strap being passed about the shank of the boot or shoe, and held at its lower portion by the foot of the operator.

This heel-brace c, in this instance, of my invention is composed of a strap provided with holes, the strap being engaged with hooks d d, adjustably connected with the band B.

The brace will preferably be placed about the counter of the boot or shoe, near the heel, substantially as shown in Fig. 1; and the eyes of the hook through which the foot-band passes will be so located that downward pressure upon the band will draw the brace 0 downward and forward with sufficient forceto firmly seat and hold the shoe upon the last or shoesupport so that it cannot tip or turn. By reason of the holes in the brace it may be adjusted to boots and shoes of various sizes.

This holdfast is specially advantageous for boot and shoe dealers, who are frequently obliged to drive nails into heels to prevent them from wearing.

The holdiast will retain the boot or shoe firmly upon the usual last, mounted on a metallic stand.

I claim- 1. The combination, with the foot-band or strap B, of a brace to extend about the counter of the boot or shoe, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the foot-band or strap B, of a brace composed of a strap and adjustable hooks d, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed myname to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WM. B. MURPHY.

Witnesses:

G. W. GREGORY, W. J. PRATT. 

